Electric switch



Nov. 1, 1932. J. B. LUTHER 1,385,284

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 8, 1951 i Hmnumlul um T ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCHApplication filed April 8,

This invention relates to an electric switch and especially a switchstructure whereby a number of switches may be closely positioned andcompactly arranged on a single panel or 6 base.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplifythe construction and operation of electric switches; to provide amultiple circuit controlling switch which permits a compact arrangementof the switches; to provide a switch structure employing a main contactplate to which a current conducting feed wire is connected; to provide acontact plate having a plurality of resilient contact arms formedthereon and adapted to be disposed at right angles thereto or radiallyarranged; and, "further, to provide a plurality of pivotally mountedswitch actuating levers, one for each contact arm, said switch leversadapted during pivotal movement to depress the resilient contact armsinto engagement with cooperating contacts and to be maintained either inan oii or an on position by the resilient contact arms.

The switch is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawing,in which Fig. 1 is a plan'view of the switch partly broken away, saidview showing a contact plate having a plurality of resilient contact 80arms radially positioned.

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical section taken on line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the cover plate and switch arms removed,said view showing a modified form of the contact plate with theresilient contact arms arranged at right angles thereto and on oppositesides thereof.

Referring to the drawing, in detail and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, Aindicates a panel or base member which may be constructed of porcelain,bakelite, vulcanized rubber, or any other suitable insulating material.Formed in the upper or outer face of the base member are a plurality ofradially positioned depressions or pockets 2 and between them is formeda central pedestal 3. Secured to the pedestal by means of a screw 4 is amain contact plate 5 and formed thereon is a feed arm 6 and a pluralityof radially disposed arms 7, there being one arm for each pocket 2.

1931. Serial No. 528,498.

The contact plate and arms are constructed of a resilient metal such asspring brass or the like, this being animportant feature aswillhereinafter be described.

Secured in the outer end and in the bottom 55 of each pocket 2 is aresilient metallic contact 1 member 8, said contact members beingsecured by terminal screws 9. The feed wire supplying the switch withcurrent is indicated at 10 and is connected through a terminal 0 screw11 with the main arm 6 of the contact plate. The current passes throughone or more of the contact arms 7 and the contacts 8 and leaves theswitch through the Wires 12, these wires being connected with electriclamps, or whatever the case may be.

The contact arms 7 as previously described are constructed of resilientmaterial and are normally maintained in an elevated position withrelation to the contacts 8, hence under normal conditions no currentflow can take place through the wires 12. In order to establish acircuit through the wires 12 a plurality of switch levers 14. areemployed. These levers are pivotally mounted as at- 15 in a cover plate16. The inner end of each lever is cam shaped as shown at 18 and as suchis maintained either in an off or on position as the case may be due tothe upward pressure of the resilient contact arms 7 so When the switchlevers assume the position shown in full lines at 14, the contact arms 7are depressed and a circuit is thus closed through the contacts 8 andwhen the position of the switch levers are reversed, or in other wordswhen they assume the dotted line position shown at 14a the circuitthrough the contacts 7 and 8 is broken. One or more circuits may beestablished as desired as each switch lever is independently operable.

By arranging the resilient contact arms 7 and the switch levers 14radially as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a circular type of switch structureis obtained and a very compact arrangement of a number of switches isthe re sult. The mechanism employed, to-wit, the pivotally mountedswitch arms, the main con tact plate, the resilient arms 7 and theresilient contacts 8 are readily accessible as removal of the coverplate 16 exposes the entire mechanism, hence permitting connections tobe readily made and also permitting inspection and repairs wheneverdesired.

In Fig. 3, a plan view is shown of a modified form of the structure. Inthis instance the main contact plate is elongated as shown at 19 and theresilient arms are disposed at right angles thereto as indicated at 20,the arms extending from opposite sides of the plate 19. The base plateis in this instance made square or rectangular in shape and pockets 2aare formed therein for the reception of the contacts 8a and theresilient contact arms 20. The contacts 8a are secured in the samemanner as disclosed in Fig. 2.

A rectangular shaped cover plate, not shown, is'employed and the switchlevers 14 are pivotallymounted therein in alignment with the resilientcontact arms 20. The main feed wire is connected with plate 19 as shownat 10a and the secondary wires are connected with the contacts 8 asshown at 12a. This construction and arrangement is also exceedinglycompact and a considerable number of independently operable switches maythus be placed within a comparatively small area.

While certain features of the present invention are more or lessspecifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may beresorted to within the scope of the appended claims. Similarly, that themate rials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as themanufacturer may decide, or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is- 1. In a switch of the character described, a basemember having a plurality of pockets formed therein, a contact member ineach pocket, a main contact plate secured to the base and connected witha source of electric current supply, said contact plate being in-.sulated with relation to the contacts, a plu rality of resilientcontactarms on the plate, one for each pocket and normally maintained out ofengagement with the contacts in the pockets, and means for moving theresilient contact arms into and out of en agement with the contacts.

2. Ina switch of the character described, a base memberhaving aplurality of pockets formed therein, a contact member in each pocket, amain contact plate secured to the Jase and connected with a source ofelectric current supply, said contact plate being insulated withrelation to the contacts, a plurality of resilient contact arms on theplate,

one for each pocket and normally maintained out of engagement with thecontacts in the pockets, a cover plate on the base member enclosing thepockets, the contacts and the resilient contact arms, and a plurality ofswitch levers pivotally mounted on the cover plate, one switch lever foreach resilient contact arm, said switch levers adapted during pivotalmovement to move the resilient contact arms into and out of engagementwith the contacts to close a circuit therethrough.

3. In a switch of the character described, a base member having aplurality of pockets formed therein, a contact member in each pocket, amain contact plate secured to the base and connected with a source ofelectric current supply, said contact plate being insulated withrelation to the contacts, a plurality of resilient contact arms on theplate, one for each pocket and normally maintained out of engagementwith the contacts in the pockets, a cover plate on the base memberenclosing the pockets, the contacts and the re-.

silient contact arms, aplurality of switch levers pivotally mounted onthe cover plate,

one switch lever for each resilient contact" arm, and a cam member onthe inner end of each switch lever and engageable during piv-- otalmovement of the switch levers to depress the resilient contact arms intoengagement with the contacts to close a circuit therethrough. i

e. In a swltch of the character described, a'

base member constructed of insulating material and having a plurality ofradially disposed pockets formed therein, a central pedestal formedbetween said pockets, a main contact plate secured in the pedestal andconnected with a source of electric current sup ply, a plurality ofradially disposed resilient contact arms on the plate, one for eachpocket, a contact member 7 in each pocket, a cover member for. the base,a plurality of switch levers pivotally mounted on the cover plate, onefor each resilient contact arm, and means on each switch leverengageable with the resilient contact arms to depress the arms duringpivotal movement of the levers into engagement with the contacts toclose a circuit therethrough.

5. A switch of the character described comprising a base formed ofinsulating material and having a plurality of elongated radiallyextending pockets formed therein, a pedestal formed centrally of thebase, a contact plate supported by the pedestal, radial arms on the andhaving a plurality of radially extending it pockets formed therein, acentral pedestal member formed integrally with the base and lower thanthe walls between said pockets, a resilient contact'plate supported bysaid pedestal and having radial arms extending one into each of saidpockets, resilient contact members positioned in the pockets beneathsaid arms and normally spaced from the arms, a cover plate enclosingsaid pocket members and means on the cover plate for selectivelydepre$ing the arms of the contact plate into engagement with the contactmembers.

JOHN B, LUTHER.

